San Juan Record Classifieds, Events, Businesses In Monticello, San Juan County, Utah

Dec 25, 2013 | 5848 views | 0 | 26 | |

The San Juan Health Service District has made a change in leadership. The contract of Chief Executive Officer Phil Lowe expired at the end of the December 19 health care board meeting. Laurie Schafer has been named as the interim CEO.

Lowe had served as CEO of the district for the past five years. Schafer, the longtime director of nursing at San Juan Hospital, is expected to also serve as interim CEO for at least several months.

The district operates San Juan Hospital and three clinics, in addition to outreach efforts. There are 110 employees in the district.

Health care officials state that Lowe’s leadership during the recent re-building phase at the district was invaluable, but they add that the time has come for a change in leadership.

While the operating room at San Juan Hospital has never been busier, the number of inpatient admissions to the hospital has dropped by 240 bed days in the past year.

In addition, the implementation of a new electronic billing system may have contributed to a decrease in overall revenues for the district.

The district also faces debt payments as the result of a series of capital projects at the hospital.

At the same time, according to the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, the license of surgeon Dr. Kris Hayes has been suspended. District officials report that Dr. Juan Vasquez, of Moab, is providing general surgical services at the hospital, with no break in services.

The San Juan Record welcomes comments on our stories. Please be civil, respectful, focused and humane. Postings are not edited and are the responsibility of the author. You agree not to post comments that are abusive, threatening or obscene. Postings may be removed at the discretion of sjrnews.com